Gilman Home Inc

Pros

• Ruben is a great guy who is always helpful.
• The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to offer product suggestions.
• The store provides excellent service and a wide variety of products.
• It has a genuine hometown feel and proudly supports local business.
• They have everything customers need, including hard-to-find items, and will order special items quickly if needed.
• The atmosphere is welcoming, with free parking and a strong sense of community.
• The store is well stocked with a large selection and fair, practical pricing.
• It's considered one of the best local hardware stores, with dependable service and helpful staff.
• The team goes above and beyond, assisting with U-Haul rentals and DIY project guidance.

Cons

• Somehow they creepily always have what I need.
• Very few left like this.

Review

In the heart of Alton, Alton Home & Garden stands out as more than just a hardware store - it's a local institution that feels like a friendly extension of the town itself. Shoppers repeatedly describe it as a place with "no frills" honesty and a genuine old-fashioned hardware store vibe, where the storefront and the staff exude a real hometown charm. Regulars speak of Ruben as a central figure in this neighborhood hub - someone who seems to have an answer for every question and a ready smile to go with it. The consensus is clear: if you're looking for someone who will help you solve a project, you're likely to find it here.

The breadth of inventory at Alton Home & Garden is a recurring theme in the praise. Folks mention a surprisingly wide selection that covers everything from everyday essentials to hard-to-find pieces, with many noting there's practically nothing you can't find or have them source. Reviewers highlight a substantial lumber selection, solid masonry supplies, and a strong hardware lineup, along with gardening materials. One guest even notes the store has "stainless" items that big-box retailers often overlook. The store earns high marks not only for breadth but for the thoughtful touch of providing options for the less common jobs that pop up in home projects.

Staffing at Alton Home & Garden receives near-unanimous acclaim for generosity, knowledge, and approachability. Multiple reviews call out Ruben by name as a standout, "a great guy" who is "very helpful" and capable of guiding customers through what they need. Other team members - Lindsey, Alicia, Summer, Tom - are repeatedly praised for their expertise, helpful attitudes, and willingness to go the extra mile. The store's people aren't just salespeople; they're problem-solvers who can offer product suggestions, give practical installation tips, and even help customers navigate DIY challenges. The sentiment is that you can walk in with a vague idea and walk out with both the right product and the know-how to use it.

The customer experience at the store also includes practical conveniences that reinforce its "local and helpful" identity. For example, customers appreciate efficient processes around renting U-Haul equipment, with reviews mentioning smooth experiences from check-in to getting the right hitch and other gear. The staff's readiness to help extends to facilitating special needs - if something isn't on the shelf, they'll order it and have it in a matter of days. One person even remarks that if you can't find it there, you probably don't need it, underscoring the store's reputation as a reliable first stop for home projects.

Beyond products and service, the store's role in the community stands out as a defining feature. The reviews repeatedly frame Alton Home & Garden as a locally owned business that supports the town and its people. Shoppers talk about contributing to the local economy and supporting a business that is deeply embedded in the community fabric. Stories about staff going above and beyond - such as staying late to help after vandalism incidents, or simply making customers feel valued - paint a picture of a store that treats customers like neighbors. One glowing testimonial even calls the staff and owner "the best" for their genuine care and effort.

Price and value are also frequently cited in a favorable light, with customers noting competitive pricing on key items and the sense of value they feel when choosing this local option. A highlighted example describes beating a big-box retailer on a bladder tank by a significant margin, reinforcing the sense that independent, locally owned stores can offer both personal service and solid value. The combination of fair pricing, abundant stock, and a helpful, knowledgeable staff adds up to a shopping experience that is both satisfying and efficient for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Taken together, the impressions about Alton Home & Garden portray a store that balances breadth of inventory with a people-first approach. It's a place where you can find everything you need for home improvement, gardening, and building projects, while enjoying the warmth of a small-town business that genuinely cares about its customers and its town. The consistent threads ofexpert guidance, personal attention, robust in-house resources, and a palpable sense of community make it feel less like a storefront and more like a trusted partner in every project. For anyone who values local business, knowledgeable staff, and a welcoming atmosphere, this is the kind of place that makes you want to return - and to bring friends along to experience the same dependable, friendly service.

This area of Alton, New Hampshire offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With multiple restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies located within a few miles, residents have easy access to dining options and healthcare providers. Additionally, there are several places of worship nearby for spiritual support and community engagement. For recreational activities, there are parks and a hospital in close proximity for any medical needs. The transportation options include an ice runway for convenient travel during the winter months. Overall, this part of Alton provides a balanced mix of essential services and opportunities for seniors looking to settle in a peaceful and well-equipped neighborhood.

Transportation

• B18 Alton Bay Ice Runway (1 miles)

Restaurants

• Shibley's At The Pier (1.2 miles)
• Pop's Clam Shell (1.2 miles)
• Shibley's Soft & Hard Ice Cream (1.2 miles)
• Bun 'N Bowl (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• Johnsons's Seafood & Steak (4.5 miles)
• East of Suez (5.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Community Church Of Alton (2 miles)
• Grace Point Church (6.9 miles)
• Nute Ridge Bible Chapel Parsonage (9.5 miles)
• Sumitomo Machinery Corporation Of America (10.2 miles)
• The Episcopal Church of St John the Baptist (10.8 miles)
• Wakefield Church of Nazarene (11.2 miles)
• St André Bessette Parish (12.7 miles)

Physicians

• Alton Family Medicine (2 miles)
• Alton Family Medicine (2.1 miles)
• Rust Pond Family Medicine (5.8 miles)
• Adult & Pediatric Dermatology, PC (6 miles)
• Internal Medicine Of Wolfeboro (6.8 miles)
• Wolfeboro Pediatrics (6.8 miles)
• Wolfeboro Family Medicine (6.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Huggins Hospital (6.9 miles)
• Thomas Lynn (7.2 miles)
• Lakes Region General Hospital North 2/Cardiac (12.6 miles)

Cafes

• North Main Cafe (7 miles)
• Tumbledown Cafe (10.8 miles)
• Winnepesaukee Bay Gulls 2 (11.3 miles)
• Wayfarer Coffee Lakeport (13 miles)
• Aroma Joe's Coffee (13.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (7.1 miles)
• Care Pharmacy (7.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (10 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (12.5 miles)
• Hannaford Pharmacy (12.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (12.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (12.8 miles)

Parks

• Foss Field (7.1 miles)
• Guy Foss Memorial Recreation Area (7.2 miles)
• Wentworth State Park (9.5 miles)
• Town of Farmington (11.6 miles)